This study was conducted to determine the nutritional characteristics of horsemeat and bone meal in comparison with those of beef and pork presented by Dietary Reference Intakes For Koreans. Longissimus muscle and large metacarpal bone samples were collected from 20 fattened Jeju horses. Muscle samples were subjected to proximate analysis, assays for fatty acid profile and minerals, and bone samples to mineral assays. Horsemeat had similar levels of protein (21.1 vs 21.0 or 21.1%) and lower levels of fat (6.0 vs 14.1 or 16.1%) compared with beef or pork, respectively. Horsemeat had much higher levels of palmitoleic (8.2 vs 4.4 or 3.3%) and α-linolenic (1.4 vs 0.1 or 0.6%) acids than beef or pork, respectively. Linoleic acid was much higher in horsemeat (11.1%) and pork (10.1%) than in beef (1.6%). PUFA:SFA and n-6:n-3 ratios in horsemeat were 0.29 and 10.2, respectively. There were no big differences in mineral contents between horsemeat, beef and pork. For daily recommended mineral intakes of male adults (Dietary Reference Intakes For Koreans), phosphorus, sodium, potassium, iron, zinc and copper can be provided up to 24, 2.5, 6.7, 21, 26 and 40%, respectively, by 100 g raw horsemeat, but calcium and manganese levels are negligible. Horse cannon bone had much higher mineral contents especially in calcium (10,193 mg/100 g), phosphorus (5,874 mg/100 g) and copper (0.79 mg/100 g). Thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and retinol contents were 0.20, 0.21, 1.65 mg/100 g and 30 µg/100 g, respectively. But ascorbic acid and beta-carotene were not detected. Our data demonstrated that higher levels of palmitoleic and α-linolenic acid in horsemeat than in beef and pork may be beneficial for human health. Horsemeat and bone meal are a good source of some minerals and vitamins.

This study was conducted to evaluate the feed value and growth characteristics of Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai by horse grazing in the woodland of Jeju. Crude protein (CP), NDF, ADF and minerals contents at different growth stages of Sasa quelpaertensis were analyzed. The apparent digestibilities of DM, CP, NDF and ADF were determined by total collection method using 5 Jeju horses. The yield and growth characteristics of S. quelpaertensis Nakai by horse grazing were investigated. CP contents in the currentand the previous-year-sprouted leaves of S. quelpaertenisis were 16.6 ± 1.0% and 12.2 ± 1.1%, respectively. The digestibility of DM, CP, NDF and ADF in the current-year-sprouted leaves of S. quelpaertenisis were 47.2±1.2, 67.8±1.0, 47.0±1.3 and 47.1±1.1%, respectively. The current-year-sprouted S. quelpaertenisis tended to have high nutritional values and digestibilities compared to those of the previous-year-sprouted. The dry matter yield, plant length, leaf width and density of S. quelpaertensis Nakai were clearly decreased by horse grazing. These results show that considering the feed value and growth characteristics, the natural S. quelpaertenisis Nakai can be used as a feed source for horses.

This study was conducted to determine the effects of different feeding levels on the number of fecal lactic acid-producing bacteria and fecal pH in horses. In Exp. 1, 6 female cross-bred horses (332.4±50.4 kg, 5 year old) were fed 2% hay or 2% concentrates of BW for 30 d, and the number of fecal Lactobacilli and Streptococci was measured. For Exp. 2, 5 castrated Thoroughbred (474.5±64.6kg, 4 year old) and 5 female cross-bred horses (343.6±56.3 kg, 5 year old) were allotted to high-or lowconcentrates diets (5 levels) for 30 d in a 5×5 Latin square design, and the fecal pH was assessed. In Exp. 3, 3 castrated Thoroughbred (482.6±53.3 kg, 4 year old) were fed high-or low-alfalfa hay diets (3 levels) for 30 d in a 3×3 Latin square design, and the fecal pH was measured. Feeding high-concentrates diets increased (P<0.05) the number of fecal lactic acidproducing bacteria (Lactobacilli and Streptococci) and decreased (P<0.01) the fecal pH. Feeding alfalfa hay with high-concentrates diet (2% alfalfa hay + 1% concentrates of BW) decreased (P<0.01) the fecal pH. These results showed that feeding highconcentrates diets increased lactic acid-producing bacteria in the large intestine and decreased the intestinal or fecal pH causing colic or laminitis, indicating that the proper fiber/concentrates (1:1) should be maintained in horses. 말에게 곡류의 다량급여는 대장의 pH 저하에 따른 대사장애로